​“We are thrilled to have upgraded new meeting facilities that further reinforce the Short North Arts District as a major, not-to-be-missed destination for millions of visitors to our city annually,” said Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance.The nationally known Short North is referred to as “the art and soul of Columbus” and includes more than 300 businesses, most of which are locally owned or with headquarters in the Columbus area. Before it was revitalized into the vibrant area it is today, local police called the formerly crime-ridden area north of downtown and just short of The Ohio State University campus “the Short North.”​“Along with our facility owners, we are delighted to further our partnership with the Short North Arts District by naming our newest renovated ballroom after our neighboring district to the north,” said GCCC General Manager John R. Page.“The Short North Ballroom is also the closest ballroom to our new expansion and Goodale Garage,” added GCCC Assistant General Manager Ryan Thorpe. “This proximity will drive usage and desirability.”In addition to the debut of the Short North Ballroom, recent milestones as part of the GCCC’s $125 million expansion and renovation include:

The opening of a full-service Starbucks on Level 2

Completed renovation of some additional sections, or pods, of meeting rooms

The installation of additional local artwork throughout the facility

The opening of the new Guest Services Center on Level 1 near the Nationwide Boulevard entrance

The erection of the sky bridge skeleton connecting the new eight-level Goodale Garage with the GCCC’s new expansion currently being constructed

Selection of Levy Restaurants, joined by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, as the facility’s new food and beverage provider as of October 3

The Greater Columbus Convention Center, located in downtown Columbus, hosted an estimated 2.5 million visitors in 2015. The facility is owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and is managed by SMG.Founded in 1977, SMG provides management services to more than 240 public assembly facilities including convention and exhibition centers, arenas, stadiums, theaters, performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, science centers and a variety of other venues. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 15 million square feet of exhibition space and more than 1.5 million sports and entertainment seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as McCormick Place & Soldier Field in Chicago, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Houston’s NRG Park and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through its concessions and catering company SAVOR, currently serving more than 140 accounts worldwide.Visit www.columbusconventions.com and www.smgworld.com for more information.